Piggy is a male Jack Russell Terrier mix! He’s about 6 years old. He was surrendered in March by his family for being too much responsibility. He previously lived with a cat and did just fine. His adoption fee is $130 and includes his neuter, microchip, and vaccines. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Governor announces OMB director change
Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced that Office of Management and Budget Director Micah Vincent will depart from his position and Cris Johnston, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, will replace him. The change is effective June 30.
As previously announced, today is Jason Dudich’s last day as state budget director. Vincent will take over those responsibilities on an interim basis until a replacement is named.
“Micah has played key roles in some of our biggest initiatives and became a trusted advisor. I appreciate his creative ideas to solve issues and the thoughtful way he has approached maintaining the state’s solid fiscal footing,†said Gov. Holcomb. “Cris is a veteran who will step seamlessly into the OMB role and assist with the financing of large infrastructure projects, such as the West Lake and South Shore rail expansions in northwest Indiana.â€
Vincent has accepted a position as vice president, strategy+M&A, with The Heritage Group, in Indianapolis. Among key successes, Vincent assisted with the development of the transportation infrastructure plan approved by the General Assembly in 2017 that fully funds roads and bridges projects for the next 20 years. He led efforts to create the governor’s Next Level Connections program that will bring $1 billion to infrastructure projects throughout the state, including highways, flights, broadband and trails. Under Vincent’s watch, the state has maintained its Triple-A credit rating from all three ratings agencies and the General Assembly recently approved the state’s eighth straight balanced budget.
Johnston joined the Holcomb Administration as deputy chief of staff in May 2018. He previously served eight years for then Gov. Mitch Daniels as the executive director of the Office of Management and Budget’s division of government efficiency and later, as deputy chief of staff.
Customers encouraged to service air conditioners ahead of cooling season
Rebates offered for new HVAC purchases and tune-ups
With warmer temperatures back in the forecast, Vectren, a CenterPoint Energy Company, wants to remind customers to have a trained heating and air professional perform routine maintenance on their air conditioning systems to improve efficiency and comfort. Customers should maintain their cooling system to prevent future problems and unwanted costs.
“As temperatures push in to the upper 80s and the humidity returns this weekend, many customers will turn their air conditioners on for the first time,†said Lynnae Wilson, chief business officer, Indiana electric. “As we enter the cooling season, it’s important to maintain air conditioning systems properly to ensure optimal performance during the summer months.â€
According to www.energystar.gov, routine maintenance check-ups should include the following actions to ensure your house or business stays cool:
- Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling system is at a comfortable setting when at home and saves energy while away.
- Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors.
- Lubricate all moving parts to reduce friction in motors, which increases the amount of electricity used.
- Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation.
- Regularly clean and/or replace the air conditioner filter to help the unit run at full efficiency and supply better air flow.
- Clear leaves and other debris away from the air conditioner’s condensing unit on the outside of the home and hose off any accumulated dirt.
- Check the air conditioner’s refrigerant level – too much or too little will make the system less efficient and reduce the life of the equipment.
- Clean and adjust blower components to reduce problems with air flow, which can also make the system run less efficiently.
Vectren offers several energy efficiency and rebate programs for residential and business customers, including cash rebates for residential customers of $200 to $500 for a high-efficiency central air conditioning unit, depending on the SEER level, and heat pumps. A $25 rebate is also available for AC tune-ups performed by a trained professional. Learn more about Vectren’s programs atwww.vectren.com/saveenergy or call 866-240-8476.
About CenterPoint Energy
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is an energy delivery company with regulated utility businesses in eight states and a competitive energy businesses footprint in nearly 40 states. Through its electric transmission & distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution businesses, the company serves more than 7 million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. CenterPoint Energy’s competitive energy businesses include natural gas marketing and energy-related services; energy efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure modernization solutions; and construction and repair services for pipeline systems, primarily natural gas. The company also owns 54.0 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 14,000 employees and nearly $29 billion in assets, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
Minnie Marie Wire
Boonville, IN. – Minnie Marie Wire, 82, of Boonville, Indiana passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at her home.
Minnie was born in Warrick County, Indiana on July 30, 1936 to the late Argle C. and Ludie (Smith) Gentry.
She graduated from Tennyson High School in 1954. She was a member of Otter Creek General Baptist Church in Boonville, Indiana. Minnie enjoyed spending time with the children at the nursery at church, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, James Gentry, Rudy Gentry, Arthur Gentry, and Guy Gentry.
Minnie is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ron Wire of Boonville, IN; children, Linda West and her husband, Jeff of Newburgh, IN; Dale Wire and his wife, JoAnn of Boonville, IN; grandchildren, Matt West, Rachel West, Danielle (Wire) Nkrumah – Dartey and her husband, Kwame; Ashley Wire, Bethany Wire; great-granddaughter, Charleston Russell; several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 1 P.M. on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at Koehler Funeral Home in Boonville, Indiana with Pastor Bill Carlisle and Pastor Gene Koker officiating. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville, Indiana.
James H. Dixon
James H. Dixon, “Jim,†age 79, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019. Jim was born January 20, 1940 to the late William Edward Dixon and Lorena Dixon in Henderson, Kentucky. Jim graduated from Douglas High School in 1958. He was one of the starting five for the Douglas Bixon’s Basketball team (“Go Jim Dandy Goâ€) with an impressive record that landed him several basketball scholarships. Jim attended Gonzaga University where he continued to excel and set records in rebounds and assists which remain unbroken to this day. Jim retired from AT&T/PT&T.
Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 27 years, Pat Dixon; three children: Gordon Dixon, Christia Thompson, and stepson, Ralph Johnson; sister, Donna Dixon; 9 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 12:00pm at Seventh Street Baptist Church in Henderson KY. Local arrangements are entrusted to Mason Brothers Audubon Chapel. Condolences may be left at www.masonbrothersfs.com
Aces drop series opener to Illinois State
The University of Evansville baseball team’s bid for a top four spot in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference tournament took a hit Thursday night, as the Aces dropped their series opener to Illinois State, 11-2 at Duffy Bass Field.
Junior right-hand pitcher Adam Lukas (5-5) made his first start in two weeks and got through the first two frames unscathed. However, the third inning would see the Redbirds put a pair on John Rave’s three-run shot to center. ISU would tack on another in fourth frame, making it 4-0 Redbirds. Lukas would give way to junior left-hander Nathan Croner in the fifth. For the day, Lukas gave up four runs on five hits, while striking out a pair.
After five innings of struggle at the plate, the Aces’ bats come to life in the sixth, loading up the bases on Illinois State starter Brent Headrick. Then, senior left fielder Matthew Jones would deliver a clutch two-strike single up the middle, plating both senior outfielder Nate Reeder and junior shortstop Craig Shepherd, halving the deficit to 4-2.
Croner would pitch a pair of shutout frames, but in the bottom of the seventh, the Redbirds tag the southpaw for six runs, and the UE offense couldn’t respond.
The loss drops Evansville to 23-26 overall and 10-9 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The victory moves the first place Redbirds to 31-21 overall and 13-6 in league play.
Game two of the series is Friday at 5 p.m. Central Time back at Illinois State’s Duffy Bass Park.
Otters hit four home runs in win vs. Windy City
After getting shutout Wednesday, the Otters’ offense exploded early and often Thursday to beat the Windy City Thunderbolts 12-2.
Carlos Castro was able to start the game on the right foot for the Otters, crushing a three-run home run over the left-centerfield wall to give the Otters a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
In the top of the second, with a 2-2 count and runners on second and third, Hunter Cullen put down a bunt to Windy City starter Christian Morris, who overthrew first baseman Dash Winningham on a throwing error, which allowed Jack Meggs to score the Otters’ fourth run.
Keith Greishaber, who was leading the Frontier League in batting average and hits entering the game, ripped an RBI single to score Rob Calabrese, making the score 5-0 Otters in the second.
Dash Winningham’s solo home run put the Thunderbolts on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second, bringing the score to 5-1.
In the top of the third, designated hitter Dakota Phillips launched a 400-foot home run over the centerfield wall, going deep for the first time this season, and giving the Otters a commanding 6-1 lead.
The Thunderbolts would add another solo home run in the bottom of the third, as Shane Carrier took the first pitch from Otters starter Randy Wynne over the fence to make the score 6-2.
In the top of the fourth, Ryan Long found his sweet spot as he crushed a 330-foot two-run home run, increasing the Otters lead to 8-2.
Thunderbolts starter Christian Morris’ day was done following Long’s home run, going 3.1 innings pitched and allowing eight runs – four earned – on seven hits.
The Otters would add two more in the fifth, as the Thunderbolts committed a total of three errors that helped the Otters’ run support.
The seventh inning had about a 20-minute rain delay, which would end the pitching performance of Otters starter Randy Wynne. Wynne followed his eight-inning, 13-strikeouts season debut on Saturday with another solid start on Thursday.
The Otters’ right-hander went 6.1 innings with five strikeouts, no walks, giving up only two runs on five hits.
After the delay, Matt Rowland would finish the seventh and eighth innings, throwing three strikeouts.
Mitchell Hansen contributed to the home-run parade, smashing a two-run shot over the left-centerfield wall, extending the Otters lead to 12-2. The home run was his second homer of the series, and the fourth Otters home run of the afternoon.
Taylor Wright pitched a scoreless ninth to end the game, as the Otters ended their three-game losing streak.
The Otters will return home to Bosse Field this weekend for a three-game series against the Florence Freedom, starting Friday evening at 6:35 p.m. presented by Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
“READERS FORUM” MAY 17, 2019
We hope that today’s “READERS FORUMâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way.
HERE’S WHAT’S ON OUR MIND TODAY
This coming Saturday, author Joe Jack Wallace is taking a detour to Evansville on his way to an International Conference called the “Future Of Everything” in New York.  Joe is one of 300 individuals who has been invited to participate in this prestigious week-long event sponsored by the Wall Street Journal.  Joe is a former Editor of the City-County Observer. He will be at Bar Louie-Eastside this Saturday between 11:00 to 12:00 to greet his many friends and autograph his newly published book entitled “Living Outside The Box.”
“Living Outside the Box” debuted on Amazon in mid-April and was named #1 New Edition in three categories including Green Business and Intergovernmental Policy.
Mr. Wallace will discuss the inspiration that launched the book and explains the content of the book from its opening chapters about dispelling myths with science, through the habits that poise people to be highly impactful and how vision followed by execution lead to establishing a state of the art technology center in Greater Palm Springs, California.
He currently serves as the CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership.
Wallace graduated from Stanford University and the University of Evansville with Masters and Bachelors Degrees in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds certifications in Cybersecurity and The Internet of Things from Harvard and MIT. He is a sought after speaker on topics from entrepreneurship to politics.
Attendance is limited and by reservation. Please contact City-County Observer Editor Justin Phillips at 812-653-9662 for details.
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays “Readers’ Poll†question is: Who do feel is the most conservative elected body in Vanderburgh County?
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